Jason Aldean and Ludacris at Sanford Stadium in Athens

Jason Aldean and Ludacris at Sanford Stadium in Athens

Why Musicians Think Georgia Rocks

Ray Charles and Little Richard. James Brown and Otis Redding. The Allman Brothers. R.E.M. Outkast. Georgia’s musical heritage is as rich and diverse as the state itself. Country star Luke Bryan, who hails from the South Georgia town of Leesburg, knows this well. “In Georgia, there’s shoreline, there’s mountains, there’s farmland, there’s rural areas, there’s metropolitan areas — and there’s all the people that make up all that,” says Bryan, Country Music Association’s reigning Entertainer of the Year. “It’s inspiration.”

Georgia's Musical Cities

Chat with Georgia musicians about the state’s musical legacy, and the discussion typically starts with pioneers like Albany-born Ray Charles or Augusta’s James Brown. But in addition to name-checking the legends, artists are quick to credit Georgia cities as musical inspiration.

The creative environment of Athens birthed R.E.M., the B-52s, and Widespread Panic, while the melting pot of Atlanta has proved fertile launching ground for big names in music, including Ludacris, Lil Jon, Indigo Girls, Sugarland, Black Crowes, Third Day, and the Grammy-winning Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. The Augusta area gave rise to Lady Antebellum, while Zac Brown was influenced by his upbringing in Dahlonega. “Georgia has such a rich musical heritage covering all genres,” says Otis Redding III, whose own hometown, Macon, launched the careers of his father, the Allman Brothers Band, and Jason Aldean.

Find must-see venues, music festivals and other points on interest in Georgia's musical cities

Musical Diversity in Georgia

David Barbe, a musician and producer who directs the University of Georgia’s music business program in Athens, agrees. “One of the cool things about music in the state of Georgia is that it’s not defined by one kind of music,” he says. “We have R&B, hip-hop, gospel, and an amazing symphony orchestra. Georgia has it all.”

Live Music in Georgia

And live performances are in ample supply. A year-round slate of music festivals keeps toes tapping, and music venues across the state host live performances nightly. “On any given night, there are hundreds of venues and hundreds of bands playing,” says Claire Campbell of the Athens band Hope For Agoldensummer. “It’s great here!”

Check Georgia's music festival lineup to find upcoming shows

Favorite Music Venues in Georgia

We asked some of Georgia’s top musical artists: What’s your favorite music venue in Georgia? Here are 10 of their picks:

40 Watt, Athens

Hargray Capitol Theatre, Macon

Eddie's Attic, Decatur

Fox Theatre, Atlanta

Lucas Theatre, Savannah

Rylander Theatre, Americus

Ameris Bank Amphitheatre, Alpharetta

Favorite Georgia Music Festivals

What’s your favorite music festival in Georgia? We asked top musicians from around Georgia this question. Here's how they answered:

Athfest, Athens (June)

Atlanta Jazz Festival, Atlanta (Memorial Day weekend)

Blind Willie McTell Blues Festival, Thomson (May)

Bragg Jam, Macon (July)

Gram Parsons Guitar and Tribute Festival, Waycross (September)

National Black Arts Festival, Atlanta (summer)

North Georgia Folk Festival, Athens (October)

ONE MusicFest, Atlanta (September)

Revival Fest, Savannah

Savannah Music Festival, Savannah (March - April)

Savannah Stopover, Savannah (March)

Shaky Knees Festival, Atlanta (May)

Skydog Festival, Macon (November)

Wire and Wood Songwriters Festival, Alpharetta (October)

 

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Written by: Allison Entrekin
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